MZ SKEETER

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Posts posted by MZ SKEETER


  1. If using a USB to serial adapter, the only one guaranteed to work with a vinyl cutter, is a Tripp Lite Keyspan adapter with a null modem serial cable.  You cannot just use any ol' USB to serial adapter as they will not work with a vinyl cutter.  The Tripplite has it's own driver.  Shown below. Find the best price. Tripp lite is the brand name. Tripp lite Keyspan adapter has been mentioned hundreds of times on this forum to use with a value cutter like you have.   The USB end of the Tripplite goes into a USB port on your computer. Then the null modem cable screws into the Tripplite, then the other end into the vinyl cutter. 

    https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keyspan-High-Speed-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JS4HVLMQO5NS&keywords=tripp+lite+keyspan+high+speed+usb+to+serial+adapter&qid=1707579501&sprefix=Tripp+lite+keyspan%2Caps%2C534&sr=8-2


  2.   I don't use this cutter or software, but I do have a Vinyl Master Demo. Under the cutter model on the software it says DIRECT USB. Did you try to connect >DIRECT USB  IN THE CONNECTION in Vinyl Master? (Drop down box) That cutter has TRUE USB.    Did you see this cutter operate ok before you purchased it?  And the baud rate is 34800 on this cutter.  Why aren't you contacting the friend you purchased it from ? If they have been using it then they should know how it operates. Here is the user manual right from the UScutter site.  https://uscutter.com/content/PDFs/Titan_Documentation_6_27_2016.pdf   Your cutter is a rebranded Saga brand vinyl cutter, if you want to find a user manual that way also. 

    titan3.jpg


  3. Your blade depth shouldn't just change.  Have you looked at your cutting strip and made sure no scratches and gouges?  This is the way to set your blade depth correctly. Posted hundreds of times on this forum.  It works. No using a credit card or post it notes. That is way too much blade extended out of the blade holder.   Use the TEST feature on your vinyl cutter.

    To start with, you should set your blade depth correctly, by taking the blade holder out of the machine, and firmly cut across a piece of scrap vinyl, you will be cutting. You should only be cutting the vinyl and barely a mark on wax paper backing, Adjust blade to get there, Then put the blade holder back in machine, and use the force of the machine to get there, same results, only cutting the vinyl and barely a mark in wax paper backing. You should barely see and feel the blade tip out of the blade holder. Regular sign vinyl is only 2-3 mil thick. You only cut with the very tip of the blade. When you think the blade is so far in the blade holder, that you think it would not even cut, that is probably correct. 


  4.  Good design and cutting software with updates is NOT free..  There are people who use Signblazer, which is an unlimited trial. For Windows.. It has not been updated  for probably 10 years.  I do not use it.  You have to choose a software that is compatible with your computer operating system AND your vinyl cutter. The Graphtec site tells you what is compatible if choosing Graphtec software.   You can purchase, VinylMaster,  Sure cuts alot, Signcut, Flexi software. And some others if you search. You can also purchase design software.  Or Inkscape.org is FREE design. This is considered a skilled job, that you may need to  invest some money into, to get the results that you are seeking. 


  5. You need to find a forum for crafting vinyl cutters. and  crafting software.( Cricuts).  Most people here use full size vinyl cutters, and  either Vinyl Master, Flexi, Sure Cuts A lot and Signblazer cutting software.  


  6. It has been mentioned many, many times to put value cutters on a Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter with the null modem serial cable that came with your cutter.  The Tripp-lite has it's own drivers which are much better than the cheap Chinese chipset in the vinyl cutter. Tripp-lite is the brand name. 

    Find the best price.  The USB end of the Tripp-lite goes into your USB port on computer, then the null modem serial cable is connected to the Tripplite, then other end of cable to your vinyl cutter. The Tripplite is the only brand guaranteed to work with a vinyl cutter.

    https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keyspan-High-Speed-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9UC9Q1HYM43F&keywords=tripp+lite+keyspan+high+speed+usb+to+serial+adapter&qid=1705165490&sprefix=Tripp-lite+keyspan+adapter%2Caps%2C516&sr=8-3 


  7. I have 6", 9, 12", 15", 18", 24, 30"  of paper transfer tape.100 yd length.  I only buy 50 yd rolls of vinyl in 15" 24" 30" In 24 colors.  I only have 3 colors in 15"  I only sell online.  I purchase my tape at  jra-signsupplies.  Ebay most of the time.  I purchase a 48" log and they will slit it up to 5 times free. Located in Michigan.  

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/153452552342?var=453402809544

    I have had some tape do that before. But I can usually unroll it several times, like 5 times. and then the tape gets better. The outside layers may dry out, but the inside is fine. Maybe , maybe not. depends on how old the tape is. I try to help when I can.

    • Like 2

  8.  

    $4,500 FC9000-75 (USCUTTER pricing) not including media basket. (another few hundred bucks)

    $900 LPIII 34" with stand and media basket included.

    I asked Santa for one of those babies, but I didn't get off the 'naughty' list this year.

    The media basket is standard equipment with Graphtec FC cutters.  No one has ever shown how detailed or small that the LP111 cutter can cut..  Have you seen photos? The FC cutters are a much better built cutter,  and stands much higher than any value cutter. They can also cut forward or backwards. if you don't have the room, The rollers can be placed in front or back. Graphtec providing over $1000  design and cut software, is a major plus, from SAI.  All FC9000 models are sold with baskets and stands

    NEW FC 9000 FEATURES:

    • Flange kit (media handling system) is included with the FC9000, which was optional for the FC8600.
    • New USB Datalink where you can run the FC9000 from a USB thumb drive.
    • New grit roller configuration for longer tracking.
    • New stand and basket configuration.
    • New 8.0 ARMS for print and cut.
    • New barcode feature for print and cut.

  9. I have it installed, on my windows 10 for a Graphtec FC8000, which is a back up cutter, purchased cheap.  I have a FC7000 on my Windows XP. and cut with Flexistarter8.6, That is my Original cutter. I had  Flexidesigner10, already before I got the Graphtec Pro Studio, Flexidesigner is is pretty much the same as Graphtec Pro Studio, just no cutter drivers. It is for print and design only. Any Graphtec is great. That is why we say buy a Graphtec.   I have all Flexi products. I started back in 2006. All of it self taught. I didn't even know this forum existed. I am 74 years old and still at. All software have a HELP at the top of the layout screen, that is pretty much the user manual. Many topics in youtube. It's read and learn. I have different computers for different software. But I always cut from a Windows XP. It is best to have your cutter on a dedicated computer and leave it there hooked up. This is what it looks like.  I think Flexi products are very user friendly. If I need anything done on Graphtec Pro Studio, I just save the file and send it to myself in an email, to cut on the Windows XP.  

    Graphtecpro.jpg


  10. Professionals use paper tape. It can be applied wet or dry. I use medium tack paper tape. I prefer perfectear paper tape. That is what I use for every thing.  Clear tape you can use for layers. And cannot use with wet application.  You cannot use with curves. For curves use a cast vinyl like 751, 951. Cast vinyl is very nice to cut and pliable. The stretch of it stays in place and has a better adhesive.

    https://uscutter.com/shop/?search_query=perfectear

    • Like 1

  11. You will find that most of us old timers will say,  Buy a Graphtec. OR buy the best that you can afford. I have never had a problem with my Graphtec EVER, unless user error starting out. A Titan is a rebranded Saga vinyl cutter. We know the track record for a Graphtec,  mine is 16 years old, bought new ,never a problem. With Saga, you would have to check how long on the market.  All vinyl cutters come with cutting software. You can download the trials and see if you would like them. Vinyl Master Cut and Sure Cuts A lot comes with All Titan and lower cutter vinyl cutters.  Graphtec has it's own cutting software, and if using windows, they also give you  Graphtec Pro Studio, which is over a $1000 software, made by and similar to Flexisign pro software.


  12. The max is, not cutting past the pinch rollers, on your sheet, if the pinch rollers are not turned off or expanded.  The real size for a  24" cutter is probably like 23.6" wide, (close). There are magnets at the pinch rollers to stop it from cutting past them.  Many people use an adhesive  cutting mat under their sheet which holds the sheet and gives them extra area, around the sheet  and the pinch rollers are on the cutting mat then.  Personally I turned my pinch rollers and media sensor off on day 1.  I can cut edge to edge of the vinyl, and no more measuring of the vinyl at start up. I know how  wide my vinyl is for my jobs, I don't need it measured. My Graphtec cutter  (FC) has those features in Menu>Background settings>  Check your user manual. There is also EXPAND for the pinch rollers. In your user manual  I do not contour cut.  I only cut sign vinyl for my business.  Walmart and other stores carry those cutting mats.  They are like these.  https://uscutter.com/uscutter-vinyl-cutter-carrier-sheet-cutting-mat-a4-a1/


  13. That cutter has ARMS, (AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION MARK SENSOR ) not made to manually contour cut. It uses a laser and automatically reads the registration marks. You could have purchased an SC2 and saved money, if you wanted to manually CONTOUR CUT.. "ARMS" is a BIG advantage over manually contour cutting. That is what Graphtecs and Rolands have to contour cut. Why would you purchase a cutter with ARMS, if your not going to use ARMS? ARMS  is way more accurate for contour cutting, than manual. That  is the BIG feature on Laser Pointer 3